Preparation and Characterization of New Sol-Gel Hybrid Inulin-TEOS Adsorbent

A new biopolymer-silica hybrid material consisting of inulin and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) for use as an adsorbent was successfully synthesized via the sol-gel method in acidic conditions. The hydrolysis and condensation processes were attained in water/ethanol solution. Three molar ratios of inulin:TEOS (1:1, 1:2, and 2:1) were prepared and dried at various temperatures (50, 60, and 70 °C). The optimized molar ratio of 2:1 with a drying temperature of 70 °C was found to obtain the best morphology and characteristics for absorbent properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed a strong interaction between inulin and TEOS, which was also observed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed the presence of nanoparticles on the rough surface of the hybrid sol-gel. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis showed the amorphous state of the silica network where the inulin existed as an anhydrous crystalline phase. Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed that the composite was mesoporous, with 17.69 m²/g surface area and 34.06 Å pore size. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results, the hybrid inulin-TEOS adsorbent was thermally stable under a temperature of 200 °C.